Photoprinting device



Nov. 30, 1943. A. L. CRI-:ANGE:

PHOTOPRINTING DEVICE Filed May 25, 1942 Patented Nov. 30, 1943 PHOTOPRINTING DEVICE ,lit-ISSUE DEQ 121944 Arthur L. Creange. Chicago, Ill., asaignor to American Photocopy Equipment Co., lll., a partnership composed of Jos. S. and Arthur L. Creanle Application May 23, 1942, Serial No. 444,217

Chicago. Lederer 7 Claims. (Cl. 95-77.5)

This invention relates to photoprinting apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel photoprinting device occupying a small space yet capable of making relatively large prints.

An additional object is to provide a photoprintlng device in which Iuniform contact between relatively large original and sensitized sheets is assured.

Another object is to provide a novel photol printing device employing artificial light, characterized by great economy of light.

A further object resides in the provision of a special device which enables the sheets to bev minimum of parts, and requires only slight skill in its operation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention will be better understood upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying features of my invention, as it appears in use.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken as indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section-elevation taken as indicated by the line 3-3 in Fig. 2.'

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the curtain latching means.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 5 5 in Fig. 1; and

Fig. Gis a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 6-6 in Fig. 3.

The drawing shows an illustrative embodiment of the invention. This device may be of small compass and may comprise essentially a base II, end walls I2, a light diffusing and transmitting sheet or window I4, a, lamp I5`enclosed therein, an opaque sheet or curtain I1, and latching mechanism therefor generally indicated at I8.

Thebase II may rest'on rubber or other suitable feet 20, and the walls I2 may be rigidly screwed or otherwise securely mounted on the base. The light-pervious sheet or screen I4 is preferably made of a translucent material of suitable synthetic plastic or the like whose inner surface 22 is roughened `or etched or otherwise treated to effect diffusion of light incident thereon. The sheet I4 may of course be of glass or any other suitable material and it may be rigid or reslllently yieldable. A resiliently yieldable or `flexible sheet I4 has the advantage, among others, of not being fragile, while retaining its proper shape in use to support the sheets in proper printing position. The curtain I1 may be formed of any suitable flexible opaque sheet material, such as imitation leather. The sheets I4 and I1 are anchored in fixed relation to each other and to the frame of the device, and, to that end, adjacent margins 23 and 24 (Fig. 5) thereof are placed in mutual contact and sandwiched between inner and outer wooden or other strips 26 and 21, where they are held by any suitable means such as a series of screws 28, preferably applied from the inside. The ends of the inner strip 26 may be disposed between and substantially engage the inner faces 29 of the end walls I2, and the outer strip 21 is preferably extended as shown at 30, where it is connected to the lower rear edge portions 3| of the end walls I2, by any suitable means such as screws 33. Each end wall I2 is rabbeted as shown at 35, providing an end flange or lip 36 with which the side edge 31 of the screen I 4 engages, the adjacent marginal portions 39 of said screen being in snug engagement with the shoulders 40 of the walls I2.

The shoulder 40 at the lower front portion of each end wall I2 is set back as at 4I from the edge of the flange 36, and a tie bar 42, having end flanges 42a glued or otherwise suitably secured to the end walls I2, has its forward face 43 beveled ush with the inset shoulder portions 4I. 'I'he shoulders 40 preferably drop as shown at 44 from the inclined portions 4I to the base Il. Another bar 45 is adapted to confront and be clamped. against the shoulder portions 4I and 44 and the face 43 of the tie bar 42 as by screws 46. The upper screws 46 also preferably pass through the front marginal portion 41 of the screen I4, and the entire length of the margin 41 is securely clamped between the bar 45 and the shoulder portions 4I, 44 and face 43. This clamping has the effect of bulging out the adjacent upper portion of the sheet I4 as shown at 48. The bulge is however insuiilcient to admit light between the screen I4 and the end Wall. When the curtain is pulled downstightly, as will appear hereinafter, the lower part of the curtain is urged toward the bulge, insuring uniform engagement between the iorward margins of relativelyl large size work and sensitive paperv sheets W and l",o respectively, accommodated by theV device.

` in turn are secured to a fastening or latching rod 54 adapted to seat in notches or sockets 55 formed in latch members 56 secured as by screws 51 or the like to the sides of the lower front portions of the end walls I2.

It should be noted that the lower front edge portions 36a of these end walls taper rearwardly, the sockets 55 of the latch members 56 being in such juxtaposition to the edge portions that iwhen the curtain is fastened as shown, it is resiliently drawn in toward the screen I4 so as -to effect a close, snug engagement throughout its entire extent with the work W to be copied and the sensitized paper P.

The lamp I5 is preferably disposed axially of the substantially cylindrical form assumed by 1 the working portion of the screen I4, and may have a iilament 60 whose ends are connected to the respective lampl ends 6i to which are connected prongs 62 adapted to be removably received in electric sockets 63 supported by brackets 64 mounted on the inner sides 29 of the end walls I2. A wire connected at 66 to one socket 63 may extend'along the base IVI and through a grommet 61 to a wall plug 68, a wire 69 connected at 10 to the other socket B3 may be con.

nected to an ori-off snap or other suitable switch "II, and a wire I2 connected to the switch may extend through the grommet and be connected to the wall plug. Thus when the wall plug is inserted in a wall sccket (not shown) and theV switch-1I is closed, the lamp is illuminated.

The switch. is readily accessible to a hand 'of the operator, while the other hand may be in It will be seen from the abcve that my improved device may be operated quite rapidly, with Y a minimumof care, and still obtain excellent results. The use of a centrally positioned lamp 'I5 together with the approximately cylindrical work-supporting and light transmitting sheet I4 provides Aa most evenly dir'iused lighting which will result in an absolutely uniform exposure of the entire work sheet. This effect is also facilitated by the very close engagement of the curtain I1 `withth'e sensitized paper, the latter being pressed closely in vengagement with the work sheet keven when the paper and sheet are of imaximum size for the device, thus eliminating lany tendency towards "fuzziness which might result where the sheets are not in close engagdement.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the specific form shown or uses mentioned,

except to the extent indicated in the.appended claims.

I claim:-l

1. In a photoprinting device, a base, and Walls standing up from said base, a light-diffusing work-supporting stiiiiy exible sheet confined between and at the peripheries of said walls and having an intermediate substantially semi-cylindrical portion, means anchoring the longitudinal margins of said sheet adjacent said base, said means at one of said margins producing'an outward free resilient bulge in said sheet beyond said one margin, a work-retainingl limp curtain substantially coextensive with said sheet and having an end anchored to said base opposite said one margin and having a free end adapted to overlie said bulge, means operative when said position to unlatch the curtain I1, so that he is able to operate the printing device with a. minimum expenditure of time in inserting and revmoving the sheets W and P and clamping and unclamping the curtain.

If desired, the clamping means may be omitted and the weight of the bar 52 relied upon to hold the curtain in proper operative position, or the operator may grasp the free end portion and pull it down and in to thereby hold it in position. By such an alternative, latching and unlatching time and metal or other latch parts may be saved.

It will be seen that the manipulation of the curtain by means of the rod 54 may be quite rapid. The curtain is drawn back and the sensitized paper P and the work W, which may be of any character, of which printed. matter, line drawings and blue prints are examples, are put in place on the supporting screen I4, and the curtain,-manipulated preferably by the rod 54, is drawn over the two sheets and the rod snapped 4in place in the grooved latch members 56. It will be obvious that the rod need not be carefully positioned longitudinally since it will freely engage the notches 55 irrespective of the particular longitudinal position of the rod. The lamp I5 is by use oi the snap switch 1I.

curtain is wrapped about the work sheet and superimposed sensitized paper about said work-supporting sheet too biassaid free end laterally against said bulge as well as circumferentialiy and thereby maintainy uniformity of pressure at 'i said bulge as ,well as throughout the remainder of said work 'sheet and paper, and va light source substantially coaxial with -said work-supporting sheet.

2. In a photoprinting device which includes a base, a translucent Work support arched over said base, and a light source between the base and said work support; a flexible substantially inextensible vcurtain dimensioned to overlie thev support, means anchoring one end of said curtain adjacent the base and substantially in contact with the support, a rigid bar engaged withthe opposite end of the curtain with the ends of said ba'r extending beyond the edges of the curtain, a pair of fixed latching lugs supported from the base and respectively adjacent said ends of the bar, and a pair ot springs depending respectively from said ends ofthe bar with means carried by said springsv and swingable into engagement with .said lugs with the springs tensioned and the curtain drawn snugly over the support.

3. In a photoprinting device which includes a base, a translucent work support arched oversaid base, and a light source between the base and said work support, a iiexible substantially inextensible curtain dimensioned to overlie the I tain, a pair of xed latching lugs projecting transversely of thebar and spaced respectively from its said extending end portions beyond the end of the curtain, yielding means depending respectively from said extending ends of the bar with a single member carried by said yielding means and swingable under said lugs for engagement therewith when said yielding means are tensioned to draw the curtain snugly over the support.

4. In a photoprinting'device which includes a base, a translucent work support arched over said base, and a light source between the base and said work support, a ilexible substantially inextensible curtain dimensioned to overlie the support, means anchoring one end of said curtain adjacent the base and substantially in contact with the support, a rigid bar engaged with the opposite end of the curtain with the ends of said bar extending beyond the edges of the curtain, a pair of xed latching lugs supported from the base projecting transversely of the bar and spaced respectively from its said extending end portions beyond the end of the curtain, said lugs presenting notches opening away from the end of the curtain, a pair of springs depending respectively from said ends of the bar and a. rod carried by said springs parallel to the bar and spaced therefrom with its end portions posivtioned to be engaged in said notches of the lugs assigne when the springs are tensioned and the curtain is drawn snugly over the support.

5. In a photoprinting device which includes a.

base, a translucent work support arched over said base, and a light source between the base and said work support, a flexible substantially inextensible curtain dimensioned to overlie the support, means anchoring one end of said curtain adjacent the base and substantially in contact with the support, a. rigid bar engaged with the opposite end of the curtain, -fixed latching lugs supported from the base projecting transversely of the bar and spaced therefrom beyond the end of the custain, springs depending from said bar, and a rod carried by said springs and swingable into engagement with said lugs when the springs are tensioned tosdraw the curtain snugly over the support.

6. In a photoprinting device which includes a base, a translucent work support arched over said base, and a light source between the base and said work support, a flexible substantially inextensible curtain dimensioned to overlie the support, means iixedly anchoring one end of said curtain adjacent the base and substantially in contact with the support, securing means supported from the base, and a handle rod extending adjacent the other end of the curtain and transversely of its length with yielding means connecting said rod to the curtain, said rod being engageable with said securing means when the yielding means is tensioned to draw the curtain snugly over the support.

7. In a photoprinting device which includes a base, a translucent work support arched over said base, and a light source between the base and said work support, a ilexible substantially inextensible curtain dimensioned to overlie the support, means xedly anchoring one end of said curtain .adjacent the base and substantially in contact with the support, yielding means attached to the opposite end of the curtain, a pair of ilxed latching lugs projecting transversely of the curtain and spaced apart by at least the Width thereof, and a rod extending parallel to said opposite end of the curtain and connected thereto by said yielding means with its end portions projecting for engagement with said latching lugs when the yielding means is tensioned to draw the curtain snugly over the support.

ARTHUR L. CREAN GE. 

